Details

Accidents happen every day in the outdoors, whether you fall out of a tree stand, break a leg during a hike, or roll over on an ATV. In the outdoors, an every day accident instantly can become a life threatening situation, and rescues may take days or weeks if you're not prepared.

Why wait days being stranded in the outdoors hoping someone will find you? Put the power in the palm of your hand with the ACR TerraFix 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon. Now you can turn that life threatening situation into a successful rescue story. It's as easy as pushing a button!

The TerraFix works fast, if GPS data is present in the beacon's first burst, SAR forces can be notified and start planning your rescue in as little as three minutes.

406 MHz technology has been around since 1982 and is credited with saving over 18,800 lives worldwide. Initially developed for marine and aviation applications, this life saving technology has been approved for use by all outdoor enthusiasts since July 2003. In 2005, 222 people in 93 incidents are alive thanks to the SARSAT system.

Registration...

It is mandatory that you register your PLB (its fast, easy & Free). When activated the unique identification code in your PLB is linked to the registration database. This way authorities can retrieve valuable information about you and your trip. Click here to register.

Responsible use guide...

The TerraFix is a satellite signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of self rescue have been exhausted, where the situation is grave and imminent and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or valuable property will occur without assistance.

PLB Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What does PLB stand for?A: Personal Locator Beacon

Q: Why haven't I heard about them before?A: They have only recently been legalized for land use in the continental US. The same technology has been saving lives on the water and used in aircraft for years.

Q: When and where do I use one?A: You should carry one whenever you go a field and there is any chance you could get in trouble.

Q: I can see needing it for a western trip or Alaska for sure but what about the fact that I usually hunt and fish close to home?A: Most outdoor emergencies happen close to home. Four wheelers flip, snowmobiles break through the ice, hunters fall out of trees, boats swamp, tractors tip over and trees fall on cutters every day. All close to home. Safety preparedness is about more than getting lost, its about dealing with emergencies.

Q: Why do they say PLB's take the "search" out of search and rescue? Don't they still have to look for you?A: Sure, but the signal is capable of transmitting your location with sufficient accuracy to allow rescuers to just about pinpoint your location. Huge search parties and expensive time consuming searches are not required.

Q: Why can't I just use my cell phone?A: Where do we start? Cell signals are seldom found in remote locations. Cell batteries always seem to quit when you need them most. Cell phones are not engineered to withstand the elements, be dropped, float or frozen. Plus, they are hard to use when hypothermic or severely injured. PLBs are made to withstand the elements, turn on easily and keep signaling until shut off by rescuers.

Q: Sounds expensive?A: Not really, about the price of a new gun. Wives and kids like to give them for Father's Day, Christmas and birthdays.

Q: What's the difference between 2798.2 GPS Interface only and 2798.4 GPS Interface & Onboard GPS?
A: The 2798.4 GPS I/O has a GPS receiver ONBOARD. Therefore, when you activate your PLB, it will receive a GPS signal and transmit your coordinates automatically. The 2798.2 GPS I has only a serial interface for a GPS; you'll have to load your coordinates from a separate GPS receiver.

Q: What's the difference between TerraFix and AquaFix?A: Physically, the units are the similar, but the AquaFix has a blue case and the TerraFix has a green case. Both units will function perfectly anywhere in the world, land or sea!

Q: What other ACR safety products are available?A: You can check out the Marine Safety section on our sister site, Turtle Marine, by clicking here. There is a wide selection of EPIRBs, strobe lights, searchlights, spotlights, fume detectors, life jackets, and more.

Q: Where can I get more TerraFix information?A: You can download the Product Support Manual from ACR in PDF format by clicking here.

EPIRBs float in an upright position to transmit (perform best when floating).

PLBs float so they won’t get lost. Need to be held out of the water or mounted high on your PFD for best transmission.

EPIRBs transmit for 48 hours minimum at temperatures as low as –40ºC. Some EPIRBs transmit 48 hours at –20ºC.

PLBs transmit for 24 hours minimum at temperatures down to –20ºC.

EPIRBs can be manually activated in or out of their bracket or automatically activated when out of the bracket and in the water.

PLBs are manually activated.

EPIRBs have a strobe light.

PLBs have no strobe, therefore keep a strobe on your life vest.

EPIRBs are designed to be mounted in a bracket or carried in a ditch bag.

PLBs are designed to be worn or carried on your person.

EPIRBs have two different types of brackets. Category I bracket will automatically deploy the beacon should the bracket be submerged between 4 and 13 ft. Category II bracket is manual deployment. Category I can be manually deployed also.

EPIRBs are legal for use on a navigable waterway.

PLBs are legal for use on land, in the air and water.

EPIRBs are registered to the vessel.

PLBs are registered to the person and are legal to be used on land as well as water.

Both EPIRBs and PLBs transmit on 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz (406 for satellite communication and 121.5 for local homing).

Both EPIRBs and PLBs have the ability to add GPS LAT/LON to their distress message to speed the start of a rescue. This can be accomplished with an internal GPS receiver or by interfacing with an external GPS receiver. Some beacons have both internal and interfacing capabilities.

Your registration can be updated daily. Nobody sees the information unless the beacon is activated. Use the “Additional Info” field to supply rescuers with any information that will help them help you. (i.e. float plan, number of persons onboard, known health issues, allergies to medicine, etc.) Some beacon owners have added a web address in this field so rescuers can see a picture of their boat.